~ Social War Against Industrial Expansion

Monthly Archives: June 2017

Outside the tent-turned-holding cell along the sidewalk by Parliament Hill’s East Block Jocelyn Iahtail and Elder Sophie Gunner-Sackabuskum wanted to know what happened to someone named “Crow” who they said was arrested along with nine others for trying to carry teepee poles onto the Hill grounds without a proper permit.

The RCMP officer who oversaw the arrests, whose last name was Lemoyne according to his ID patch, said he didn’t know of anyone named “Crow.” Lemoyne said only nine people were arrested Wednesday evening for “obstruction” because they needed proper permits to set up the teepee.

“They were not allowed to come in with the teepee or they would be arrested,” said officer Lemoyne. “It is against the rules of the Hill, you cannot have tents. You usually need permits to go here. You guys are welcome to come, but no teepee.”

Ihatail said the RCMP had no right to keep the teepee off Parliament Hill. She said it was to be used for a fasting ceremony.

“We are the ceremonial people. I have a right to be here…I didn’t go invade Europe,” she said.